New Year's Resolutions Through the Eyes of Our Children: The Importance of Grit and Perseverance

A child looking up to their parents for social-emotional teachings.

As the new year approaches, many of us indulge in the tradition of setting New Year's resolutions. Often, these resolutions are grand declarations of change - promises to ourselves about fitness, diet, productivity, or breaking bad habits. But as parents and educators at Creative Gardens, it's crucial to remember that our children are keenly observing our approach to these resolutions. Our actions, especially our follow-through or lack thereof, speak volumes to them about grit and perseverance.

The Impact of Our Actions on Children

Children learn more from what they see us do than what we tell them to do. According to a study by Bandura (1977) on social learning theory, children imitate behaviors observed in adults. When we set resolutions and then abandon them shortly after, we inadvertently teach our children that it's okay not to commit to goals or see things through.

Teaching Grit and Perseverance

On the other hand, demonstrating perseverance in achieving our resolutions can teach our children a valuable lesson in grit. Angela Duckworth, a leading researcher on grit, defines it as the passion and sustained persistence applied toward long-term achievement. Her research shows that grit is a significant predictor of success. By sticking to our resolutions, we model for our children how to overcome obstacles, remain focused on goals, and the importance of not giving up in the face of difficulties.

Setting Meaningful Resolutions

The key to setting resolutions that foster grit lies in their meaningfulness and our genuine commitment to them. Rather than vague or overly ambitious goals, setting achievable, specific resolutions can help us stay on track. This approach not only increases our chances of success but also shows our children the value of setting realistic, meaningful goals.

Involving Children in the Process

Involving our children in the process of setting and maintaining resolutions can be a powerful way to teach them about goal setting and perseverance. Whether it's a family fitness goal, a reading challenge, or a commitment to community service, shared goals can strengthen family bonds and provide mutual support and motivation.

Celebrating Small Wins

Recognizing and celebrating small milestones is crucial. This practice not only keeps morale high but also teaches children the importance of acknowledging progress, no matter how small. According to research by Carol Dweck on mindset, praising effort and strategy (rather than just outcomes) encourages a growth mindset, teaching children that effort leads to improvement and success.

As we set our New Year's resolutions, let’s remember that our children are watching. The way we handle these resolutions can either teach them about the power of grit and perseverance or the ease of giving up. At Creative Gardens, we encourage all parents and educators to reflect on this opportunity to model behaviors that will inspire and teach our children valuable life lessons. Here’s to a new year filled with purpose, perseverance, and shared growth!